Typewriter desk



April l5, 1930. J. BoDENsTEIN TYPEWRITER DESK Filed Feb. 12, 192'?Patented Apr. 15, 1939 UNITED s TA res PATENT oFFl-fcn JACOB BODENSTEIN,0F HERKIMER, NEW`YORK TYPEWRITER DESK Application :tiled February 12,1927. ASerial No. 7167;6'277.

`This invention relates to improvements in `typewriter `desks of thatkind `having a typewriter platform on which a typewriting or othermachine is supported, said platform `.Ii being movable rearwardlyanddownwardly f applicable to desks of `this kind in which the w15 platformmoves `from a isubstantiallyhorizon tal, operativeposition to aninclined inoperative, position, extending downwardly and rearwardly,inwardlybeyondthe front of the desk to provide leg room for the user.

The objects of the invention are to provide an improved desk ofthecharacter` described, having stop means whereby the machine plat-`form and the ,desk top arepositively arrested asfthey assumetheirrespective operative and inoperative positions; also to providemeans coacting with said stop `means for rigidly locking or holdingthemachine platform in operative position; alsoV to provide improvedoperative connections between the desktop and the platform for`actuating the latter through movement Iof the former; also to provideguidevand support means or parts of improved `and simplifiedconstruction for guiding and supporting the ,platform when moving to andfrom operative and inoperative positions and supporting the same in suchpositions, `and also to improve the construction oftypewriter desksinthe other respects hereinafterset forth.

.In the accompanying drawings:

Fig. 1 is va longitudinal, sectional elevation'of atypewriter deskembodying the invention, showing the machine platform in lowered orinoperative position. l

Fig. 2 is a similar `view with the platform in open or operativeposition.

Fig. `3 is a transverse, vertical section on an enlarged scale,"of theconnections between oneendof the platform and the adgacentside panel orstationary part of the desk, on line 3-3, Fig. 2. r

Fig. 4 is a side elevation ofthe lever and link connections :between themachine platform andthe movable desk top or section, showing these partsin locking relation'to the` platform for holding the same rigidly inopenposition.'

Fig. .5 is a side elevation of oneof the fixed guide plateslzor membersfor guidingtheplatform in its movements'to` and from operative andinoperative'position.

Fig. 6 is a similar view of `one cfa pair of supporting brackets onwhich are Vmounted the platform supporting studs or rollers and Vtowhich the connections between said platform and desk top are attached.

The desk in whichthe-inventionis"used can be of any suitableconstruction adapted for use as a typewriter desk, or desk on which anyother similar machine is mounted to move to and from operativeorinoperative position in the manner described. The `desk shown 1n thedrawings comprises `the usual upright, opposed `and spaced ,side

panels, pedestals or members 10 rigidly `connected at the `rearbyaverti'cal back wall 11, and `also preferably by a "fiXed,hori:zontalrear top member 12. In'frontof `the member 12 is a movable desktop orsection 13, which in the position shown inFig.` 1 extendshorizontallybetween the top edges or portions i of the side members 10 and above atypewriter platform `14, which, in said position of the desk top,occupies a downwardly and `rearwardly inclined or inoperative position.

The top section llhasits'rear ends pivoted to downwardly and forwardlyextending links 16 which `are connected `at their lower ends to theadjacent Aside members 10 ofthe desk by pivots 17. yBy anupward and rearward movement of the front of the top sec tion 13, said top, through itslinks 16, can swing about the pivots 17 to an upstanding position atthe'back of the desk in rear ofthe platform 14, with its 4rear edgepreferably engaging suitable fixed rests or stops 18 o n the side panels10. This movement of the top 13 causes the platform 14 to move toitsoperativeposition `shown in Fig. 2, through connections between said topand platform, in a well known manner.

In accordance with the present invention, Said connections areconstructed and arranged to coact with guides and stop means on the deskto support said platform and said desk top rigidly in their respectiveoperative po- ;itions. For this purpose, the platform 14 is provided ateach side with two laterally projecting spaced roller studs or followers2O and 21. The studs 20 are arranged to travel in substantiallyhorizontal slots or fixed guide ways 23, while the other studs 21 engageand travel in downwardly extending, preferably curved slots or guides24. The guide waysV or slots 23, 24 at opposite sides of the desk aredisposed in planes extending from front to rear of the desk, and can beformed in the side panel 10, if desired. Preferably, however, said slotsareV formed in sheet metal brackets or stampings 25, having offset lugs26 for securing them to the side panels 10 of the desk, see Fig. 5.

Stop means are provided against which the studs 20 and 21 canabut forpositively arresting the movement of the platform as it assumes itsoperative position, said stops in the construction shown comprising theclosed ends 27, 28 respectively of said slots 23 and Y Likewise, in theinoperative position of said platform, Fig. 1, these studs engage stops29 and 30 comprising'respectively the opposite ends of the slots 23 and24. By the rovision of the angularly related slots or gui es 23, 24,

disposed as shown, the platform is enabled to move from` its horizontal,operative position t0 a downwardly `and rearwardly inclined inoperativeone, by the movement of the studs 21 along the depending slots 24, whichcauses a pivotal movement of the platform about the other studs 20,during the travel of the latter in said slots 23.

The operative connections between the platform 14 and top 13 comprisesa. link 31 connected at one end as by a pivot 32 to the l front portionof the platform 14 andV at its other end by a pivot 33 to one end of a`lever 34 supported between its ends on the side wall or panel 10 by astationary pivot 35 and having its opposite end pivoted in turn to thefront portion of the desk top 13.

The drawings shown only the left hand side f of the desk, but preferablysimilar link and lever mechanism is also arranged at the opposite sideof the desk.

When the platform moves from its inclined position to its horizontaloperative position, the pivot 33 passes slightly beyond a dead centerposition, or across a line connecting the stationary pivot 35 and thevpivot 32 see Fig. 4. This relative arrangement and movement of theparts forms a lock joint and causes the Vrollers20 and 21 to be forcedand held firmly against the stops 27 and 28 respectively. By

this construction the platform is rigidly supported in horizontaloperative position, and will not shift or become displaced under normalconditions of use, as the platform caunot be shifted except by liftingthe desk top and breaking said lock joint.

If, however, the desk top is lifted upwardly and forwardly from itsinoperative position, Fig. 2, the lever 34 will turn about its pivot 35thus causing the pivotal connection between the same and the link 31 topass back across said dead center line and break the lock joint. Acontinuation of the movement of the desk top to closed position willshift the rollers 2() rearwardly along the slots 23 and the rollers 21downwardly in the slots 24 to the respectiveY rear and lower ends of theslots where said rollers will rest against the stops 29 and 30. In thismanner the platform is supported in inoperative position and the desktop is moved to and held securely in its desk closing position, Fig. 1.The front portion of the top is thus supported'through the link andlever connections with the platform` while its rear portion isadequately supported by the links 16.

The studs or supporting rollers 20, 21 can be mounted on the platform inany suitable way, but each pair is preferably secured to alongitudinally extending flange 40 of a sheet metal stamping orsupporting bracket 41, see Fig. 6. These brackets engage the respectiveadjacent edges of the platform and are attached to the platform byscrews or other fastenings passing through horizontal flanges 42, 43extending laterally from said brackets upon opposite faces of saidplatform. Each bracket 41 is also preferably provided with an upstandinglug 45 through which the pivot 32 for the lilik 31 passes.

Another important result obtained by the construction described is thatthe platform 14, while moving to its inclined, inoperative position,also moves rearwardly the length of the guides or slots 23 by reason ofthe studs 20 engaging therein, thus locating the inoperative positionwell back of the front edges of the side panels 10 and providing more knoo space for the operator than is usually provided in desks of thistype.

The supporting brackets 25 and attaching brackets 41 are inexpensive toproduce and are strong andv rugged, whilenthe link and lever connectionsbetween the desk top and platform are simple and coact with the guideand supporting meansto produce a desk construction wherein the platformand desk top are firmly held in their respective operative positions.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a typewriter desk, a frame having an opening in its top extending1earwar :ll \v from the forward edge, a closure for said opening carriedby said frame for movement toward and from closed position in saidopenllO nacemos ing, a platformfdisposedinsaid framebelow said opening,vayliorizontal"ignidemon :said frame :at reach side .oif said opening:and ei:- tending` `in directions .from 'fiont` to rear, -a secondguidecarried ubyvsaid `frame also at eachside `of saidopening and at therear of said horizontal guides, `said second rguides extending indirections crosswiseofthehorizontal guides `:and from adjacent fthelongitudinalaXes ofisaid horizontal guides downwardly and ithenrearwardly in an iinclined direction,zsoithattlie guides at-ieach sideofthe frame iform an1'obtus`ef` angle with one another at their outer endsand approximately a right angle at their adjacent ends, followerscarried by said platform and cooperating with said guides to support theplatform in an approximately horizontal position when the followerscooperating with the second d20 guides are at the upper ends of thoseguides, and the followers cooperating when the horizontal guides arewell forward on those guides, whereby said platform may be first tilteddownwardly at its rear end and then the entire platform` shiftedrearwardly in saidframe, and means connecting said clo sure to saidplatform, whereby movement of the closure into closed position causes atilting` of the platform and its rearward movement in the frame toincrease the knee space.

2. In a typewriter desk, a frame having an opening` in the top thereof,a. platform disposed in said frame below said opening, guides carried bysaid frame at opposite sides thereof, and extending in directions fromfront to rear, additional guides at the rear of said first named guidesand extending therefrom first in a direction crosswise of the length ofthe first mentioned guides and then rearwardly in a direction oblique tothe first named guides, and followers carried by said platform andcosoperating with each `guide at each side of the frame for mounting theplatform in a horizontal position when the followers cosoperating withthe additional guides are nearest the first named guides, and thefollowers of the first named guides are well in advance on said firstnamed guides, whereby said platform may be tilted vertically at its rearend and then shifted bodily rearwardly in the frame, and means formoving the platform in either direction on said guides and locking itreleasably in its approximately horizontal position.

3. In a typewriter desk, a frame having an opening in the top thereof, aplatform disposed in said frame below said opening, guides carried bysaid frame at opposite sides thereof, and extending in directions fromfront to rear, additional guides at the rear of said first named guidesand extending therefrom first in a direction crosswise of the length ofthe first mentioned guides and then rearwardly in a direction oblique tothe first named guides, and followers carriedby, said platform andcooperating with each 4guide ateaoh side-of :the frame `for mounting`the platform in a horizontal position when the followers 4co-operatingrwith the additional 7U@ guides arenearestithe firstnamed guides, and theAfollowers ofthe first named `guidesif-ire well `inadvance on said`first named guides,` whereby said platform may fbe tilted vvertically,at'iitszrear endland then shifted bodily "g rearwardly in the frame, aclosure for said opening above the platform carried by said frame formovement `between closed position in :said opening land fanapproximately Aiipstanding position within `the rear-of said frame, .andmeans .connecting said closure and said ,platform for hoiding saidplatform iii-horizontal position whenifsaid closnreis in open position iandinoving said `platform into inclinedfposit-ionand rearwardly initheframe when the iclosure is moved into closed position. i

T4. .In a typewriter desk, a frame, a platfornna pairiofifollowers ateach side ofsaid platform, the followersiofieach `pair being spaced.forwardly and rearwardly ofione another, nan i approximately horizontalguide on said -framefatfeachiside of saidplatform and each guidehavingaipivotal and slidable connection withlthe adjacent forward follower, i

a-second-giiide carried by saidifraine ateach `sideof said platform andeach havingfa `piv- `guides,saidplatform having a pivotbea-ring `spaced`from one ofthe forward followers and .laterally from `,the ad] acenthorizontal guide,`

a desk top mounted on said frame for move Lmentbetween aiclosed positionabove said `platform andan open `position at the rear i of saidplatform, said `mounting includingl a `lever pivote'd'toisaid fframaanda link connected yto said lever andtosaid `pivot bearing on Asaidplatform, the pivot of said lever be @forming a toggle which slightlypasses straightened position when said platform reachesits forward'horizontal position and said top `its `open position, Awhereby saidtoggle connection will lock said platform in horizontal position whensaidtop is in open lposition,and whereby movement of said topftowardsclosed `position will first break said togglarock saidiplatformi about its forward i' ingdisposed 'rearwardly of said pivot bear- "I`ing of said snpport,and said leverandlink lig followers, and then shiftboth followers along their guides to place said platform in an inclinedposition when said top is in closed position,

5. In a typewriter desk, a frame, a platform. approximately L-shapedbrackets secured to said frame at opposite sides of said platform withone arm of each bracket eX- tending approximately horizontally andforwardly, and the other arms of the brackets depending from the rearends of the approximately horizontal arms and then rearwardly in adirection oblique to the forwardly extending arms, each arm of eachbracket having a slot running in a direction lengthwise therein` a pairof followers at each side of said platform spaced forwardly andrearwardly, the forward follower of each pair engaging in the slot ofthe horizontal arm and the other follower of the same pair engaging inthe slot of the depending arm, each follower providing a pivotalmounting for said platform. the upper ends of the slots in the dependingarms being crosswise of the lengths of the approximately horizontalarms, and the rear followers being in engagement with the upper endsoftheir slots when the forward followers are well forward in their slots.with the platform in horizontal position, said platform having a bearingpivot spaced from the forward followers, a top mounted for swingingmovement-between a closed position above said platform, and an openposition at the rear of the platform, the mounting of the top includinga lever, and a link connecting said lever and the bearing pivot of saidplatform and forming with said lever a toggle connection having aposition slightly past dead center when said top is in open position andmoving through straightened position at the beginning-of a closingmovement of said top, the pivot of said lever being so spaced from saidpivot bearing of the platform, when the platform is in horizontalposition. that movements of the Vtop in either direction between openand closed positions will urge said platform forwardly or rearwardly inthe frame.

6. In a typewriter desk, the combination of a frame, a platform forsupporting a typewriter or the like, a movable desk top, a lever pivotedbetween its ends to said frame, a pivotal connection between one end ofsaid lever and said desk top, a link, a pivotal connection between onecnd thereof and said platform, a pivotal connection between the otherend of said link Vand the other end of said lever, a guide member onsaid desk frame having a substantially horizontal slot and a second slotextending downwardly and rearwardly in angular relation thereto, a pairof spaced studs on said platform, one sliding lengthwise in each slotand supporting the platform for movement from inoperative to operativeposition, a. stop at the upper end of

